Hello everyone,

My name is Soraya Chinloy and I started this gofundme because I would like to raise money for a stem cell treatment that is expected to help resolve some of my health issues. 

I have been on a seemingly long journey regarding my health. It's been one that started since I was 18 when I was diagnosed with aplastic anemia (a blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to work properly). While studying at the University of Florida, I noticed that I had brusing and heavy menstrual cycles. When I went to my pediatrician's office to receive a vaccine, he instructed me to urgently go to the Emergency Room. They took a blood test, which revealed that my platelets were extrememly low (I believe below 20; normal is at least 150). After a series of tests, a bone marrow biopsy revealed that I had a bone marrow failure disorder called aplastic anemia. The hematologist put me on and weaned me off of an immunosuppressant medication (which lowered my immune system over the course of the next couple years in an attempt to reboot my bone marrow). He had also put me on other medications, such as an antibiotic, an antiviral, folic acid, birth control, etc. Gradually, my blood counts (platelets, hemoglobin, iron, etc.), although at an abnormally lower level, remained stable. By God's grace, I was fortunately able to start and finish my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing at Florida Atlantic University.
Upon the first few months of me working as a registered nurse (at age 23), I woke up to get ready for work and noticed that there was blood in the tissue after I blew my nose. This was a red flag for me to go back to the hematologist. The hematologist recommended that I go to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and have a consultation with a more experienced hematologist. After reviewing a recent bone marrow biospy that I had while at Moffitt, this hematologist recommended a bone marrow transplant and said that he believed it would cure my new diagnosis called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (a premalignant precursor to leukemia).

The process of a bone marrow transplant involves rigorous testing (blood work, pumonary function testing, EKG, genetics, etc.). Over the time of a month or two (which is fairly quick) they matched me with an unrelated donor that had 10/10 compatability rate to me. I had my bone marrow transplant in August 2013. The process involved me staying on an inpatient floor at Moffitt Cancer Center for a month. First I received 3 treatments from two different chemotherapies to lower my immune system's function, so much so that I would be able to receive the donor's stem cells without rejecting them. I also received various medications and infusions (red blood cells, platelets, antibiotics, etc.). After being discharged from the hospital, I was required to stay within the general vicinity of the hospital for 3-4 months for close monitoring. Some side effects of the transplant were fevers, the need for blood infusions, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and graft versus host disease (which manifested in digestive problems, skin color changes, fatigue, dry eyes, dry mouth, etc.). I progressed well and the transplant doctor discharged me home right before Thanksgiving!

Thankfully, I'm in remission and have been for roughly the past 2.5 years and the doctor believes that the blood cancer (MDS) will never come back! However, I am still suffering from negative health effects (some may or may not be completely related to the transplant). I still have alopecia and neuropathy (tingling and numbness) due to the chemotherapy. I also have bladder/fecal incontinence and right lower hip, leg, and foot muscle weakness which the neurologist speculates is most likely caused by a growth in my brain called a cavernous hemangioma (a noncancerous growth of blood vessels). Despite the prior existence of the hemangioma, the leg weakness and incontinence occurred around January 2014.

I am blessed to have access to physical therapy, supplements, medicines, and alternative health treatments. My integrative medicine doctor recommends stem cell treatment and believes that my syptoms of neuropathy, incontinence, right leg weakness, cavernous hemangioma, and hydronephrosis will heal. The total cost for this treatment will be about $5,000. It would be ideal for me raise these funds in time for the next available treatment with my integrative medicine doctor and another doctor who is an expert in stem cells in November. However, there will be ongoing stem cell treatments available with my doctor in the future. 

The process of the stem cell treatment procedure would start with removing my abdominal fat to retrieve the stem cells, removing my blood to retrieve platelets, and then mixing my stem cells with the platelets and infusing them through an intravenous transfusion. The procedure is expected to last for 3 hours.

I believe that this stem cell treatment can/will greatly enhance the quality of my life. The main motivation for me to strengthen my leg is my desire and passion to further my technique in different types of dance (ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, etc.). I believe that God has also placed a desire within me for dance to worship Him. I also desire to grow a full head of hair normally and heal from incontince, as it disrupts the quality of my life.

I am requesting that you please consider donating money toward my health cause. However, I do believe that it's best to donate only if you feel completely at peace and fully have a desire to. The last thing I would want is for you to feel pressured or obligated. Thank you. Whether you decide to donate or not, I kindly request that you keep me in your prayers.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and consider my cause. Should you decide to sincerely donate and/or pray, I will greatly appreciate it.

~Soraya Chinloy